Four Initial Presidential Decorations Awarded

President Shim'on Peres presented the first four presidential decorations, Monday morning. The award is granted for the elite (individuals and organizations) who made a unique and unusual contribution to society in Israel and to its image in the world, and are the model for entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity and vision.

One award went to the Rashi Foundation, established by the Leven family, which granted the state a million dollars toward the establishment of Israel's nuclear facility in Dimona. Another went to Judy Feld-Carr, who secretly aided the Mossad and other agencies in the saving of thousands of Jews from Syrian prisons and helped youth and whole families leave Syria over a 25-year period. The third decoration was awarded to Rabbi Adin Even Israel (Steinsaltz) for his unique and extraordinary contribution to the world of Jewish education and culture and being a shining example of creativity and vision. The final award was made to attorney Uri Slonim, President of Variety Israel, for his volunteer work in the field of abducted and missing soldiers, as well as his work for the Variety organization.